EU calls for 'Palestinian restraint' as Trump announcement nears

EU diplomatic chief calls on Abbas to show restraint, contain violence amid expected recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel by Trump.

AFP and Arutz Sheva Staff, 06/12/17 17:56

EU's Federica Mogherini, Mahmoud Abbas

STR/Flash 90

EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini called Wednesday for "restraint" from Palestinian Arab organizations over an expected announcement by US President Donald Trump recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

In a phone call with Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Mogherini reiterated the European Union's commitment to a two-state solution, and its stance that the status of Jerusalem should be settled by negotiations.

"Federica Mogherini called for restraint in any reaction to the expected announcement and welcomed the commitment by Mr. Abbas to call for any demonstrations to remain peaceful," an EU statement said.

On Tuesday, Mogherini made a pointed warning about the situation at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as he was visiting Brussels for talks with the EU and NATO.

"We believe that any action that would undermine this effort must absolutely be avoided," she said.

The Hamas terrorist organization called on "Palestinians and intifada youth" to turn this coming Friday into a "day of rage" against the "occupation" in protest against the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the relocation of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.